Classic Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup is made vegan by simply replacing the chicken with healthy, hearty potatoes. Much healthier and still filling and comforting. This soup still has that classic comfort flavor and feel without the excess sodium. A bowl of this will fill you up and satisfy you perfectly.
CLASSIC VEGAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Today, I’m sharing a classic with you. I grew up eating chicken noodle soup…honestly, who didn’t? That warm bowl of comforting soup that was overly loaded with salt, was somehow so satisfying. Of course, looking at the can of ingredients now is pretty gross. I do remember how the chicken in the can was always really rubbery and I would end up spitting most of it out.
When I became an adult my mom started making a chicken noodle soup recipe that she picked up from a newspaper. It was creamy and slightly spicy and incredibly delicious. Come to find out, it was made using a cream of mushroom can of soup! What?! I thought it was homemade 100%. Lol. Regardless, it was really yummy and I always requested it.
Instead of using actual chicken or even vegan chicken, I used healthy whole food potatoes! They are just as comforting, filling and satisfying. I love comforting soups and stews so much and it’s something that I thrive at when being creative in the kitchen.
You can make this for 8 easy ingredients, so simple and nothing fancy and completely plant-based.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
Full recipe and details on recipe card below.
- Carrots
- Celery
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Red potatoes or yukon gold potatoes
- Veggie broth
- Vegan bouillon cubes (see recipe below for alternate version)
- Dried thyme
- Nutritional yeast
- Noodles: Use regular or gluten-free. I used gluten-free brown rice spiral noodles.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Step 1: Add the water (or broth if using the alternate version) and bring to a boil. Add the bouillon cubes (or spices version) and whisk to ensure thoroughly mixed.
Step 2: Add all of the veggies except the pasta. Bring back to a boil and stir well. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes until veggies are becoming tender, but not fully.
Step 3: Add the pasta and raise the heat to medium-high and bring back to a boil. Cook about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender to your liking. If using gluten-free, it will cook faster, so watch closely so that it doesn’t become mushy.
Step 4: Taste and add any more salt, if needed, as this can greatly vary depending on the broth or quality of bouillon cubes used. I like a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to serve on top.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS SOUP?
A perfect thing to serve with a delicious healthy vegan chicken noodle soup is my Vegan Caesar salad and have a really satisfying, healthy dinner.
MORE VEGAN SOUP RECIPES
- Vegan Red Lentil Curry Soup
- Low-fat Smoky Broccoli Potato Soup
- Vegan Cauliflower Curry Soup
- Creamy Vegan Lentil Soup
- Hearty Veggie Potato Stew
- Lazy Day Vegan Tomato Bisque
- Smoky Sweet Potato Black-eyed Pea Soup
Classic Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 4 large long carrots, sliced (you will need 1 1/2 cups sliced, 170 g)
- 4 large long celery stalks (you will need 1 1/2 cups sliced, 200g)
- 1 packed cup (160g) finely diced yellow onion
- 3 X-large garlic cloves, minced (about a tablespoon-15g)
- 3 small red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (you will need 2 1/2 cups, 370g)
- 6-7 cups water (or broth, see update under NOTES)
- 2 vegan bouillon cubes (see update under NOTES for alternate version!)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (depending on your bouillon cube, this may need adjustment)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 cups (170g, 6 oz) gluten-free brown rice spiral noodles
- optional garnish: fresh parsley and fresh lemon juice
- I use this scale.
Instructions
- Prepare all of your veggies, spices and set aside.
- Add only 6 cups of the water (or broth if using the updated version below) to a large pot and bring to a boil, add the bouillon cubes (or all the additional spices listed under the updated version below in place using the bouillon cubes), thyme, salt, nutritional yeast and whisk to dissolve.
- Immediately add all of the veggies (carrots, celery, onion, garlic and potatoes). You are adding all of the ingredients except the pasta. Stir well and bring back to a boil. Once boiling, immediately turn to the lowest heat, cover and simmer around 10 minutes until the carrots and potatoes are becoming tender, but not fully.
- Add the pasta and bring back to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, leave the lid off and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, but still firm. If using gluten-free pasta, it will cook much faster, so keep an eye.
- Taste and add any more salt, if needed, as this can greatly vary depending on the broth or quality of bouillon cubes used. I like a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to serve on top. If you want it more brothy, add more broth and adjust seasonings as needed to account for extra broth.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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This recipe was amazing. I made it with my 4 year old and he ate a ton! My husband and I loved it to. It’s easy and really flavorful.
Yay that is awesome!
Would like to make it for a church luncheon. Can this soup be made ahead of time and refrigerated and then cooked reheated. Also, can you freeze it?
Yes, to all of that!
Craving soup so decided to make this today. Very good! I used 9 cups of broth. I imagine this would be delicious with chickpeas added to it! Ty Brandi for yummy recipe !
I forgot to rate it! 5 stars!!
I’m so happy it’s getting to be fall weather again so I can make this soup again! The broth is perfection and I love how it all comes together. I’ve made this soup so many times and it’s always a hit. Thank you!
So happy to hear that Laura!
Wondering how to add more protein to this alternative? Thanks!
Hi! I would add smoked tofu or even vegan chicken strips are good too!
I was thinking white kidney beans? Just adding them close to the end?
Yes, sounds great!
So delicious, we gobbled this up in no time.
Love this. Used 7 cups water and not chick’n bouillon cubes. Made it for my husband when he was sick and it was perfect. Thanks!
So happy to hear that Cami!!
Delicious soup! Cold day today and this really hit the spot. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.💜
I followed the recipe exactly (used the recommended spices instead of bouillon cubes and half veggie broth/half water) and it is SO Delicious. Highly recommend. Thank you for sharing.
Perfect recipe! So flavorful and satisfying. I used ‘better than bouillon’ for the broth and also some cubed tofu. I just love this soup!
This is a wonderful soup! Excellent flavors and I didn’t miss the chicken! Thank you! I added jalapeño!
Love this soup! Added 6 extra cups of low sodium vegetable broth (my husband enjoys soups best with extra broth) and added a garden veggie bouillon cube as well as the alternate version home made seasoning mix. Also added a can of rinsed and drained organic white navy beans as mentioned below. Taking several jars to a friend with Covid. I know she will also love this soup even though she is not vegan; it is so delicious! Thank you for another wonderful and easy to prepare recipe!
Wow! This was delicious. Since I stopped eating meat years ago, I’ve never found any substitute that comes close to the feeling of classic chicken noodle soup. This has all the flavor of the classic and will be new winter staple in my house. Thank you!
I am going to make your soup. Whatbrand and type of veggie boullion to recommend? I have not had good luck choosing one so far.
Hi Jeannie, I really do not recall what brand I used. It’s been years since I wrote this recipe and used a boullion cube. I always do the alternate version now under notes.
I made this recipe accept I skipped the bouillon part. I used organic gluten free veggie stock. I did not have all the ingredients for the alternative recipe add on, but I did add some additional flavourings: Tumeric, onion powder, salt, lemon thyme, garlic powder. I added some white navy beans and used GoGo Quinoa pasta twist noodles. Turned out great. My house smells so yummy.
Sounds wonderful Alyssa!
Incredibly tasty! Love this recipe!!
Thank you so much!
Made this lastnight huge hit even with the meat eaters in the house. I used “not chick’n” bouillon cubes and store brand vegetable broth it came out super flavorful. I also added 2 more cups of broth while I was cooking but that’s my own preference if loving broth! Thank you so much I always get so excited when the meat eaters love the vegan dishes. Thanks again!
So happy to hear Jennifer!
This was a favorite among the whole family and a perfect dinner for our first day of snow today. I am always grateful for recipes that allow for all ingredients to be prepared at the same time and a relatively quick and easy meal to prepare in under an hour. Thank you!
I’m really happy to hear this Sarah!
I make this recipe all the time. It’s delicious & easy! I’ve tried different recipes but this one is the best for a vegetarian chicken noodle soup alternative.
Thank you!!!
Woohoo, I love to hear that Jocelyn!!
My family loved this soup, and they don’t like food! so I was happily surprised.
The only question I have is how much pasta am I supposed to use? I only used half the bag, and that was plenty. But should I have used the entire bag?
Thank you for sharing
It was nearly perfect initially but after adding additional seasonings to adjust for the extra 2 cups of water i added, i may have added too much worcestershire sauce because its turned a bit sour. Any ideas how to get rid of or reduce that sourness aside from adding water and all the other ingredients?
Great soup! My daughter, a bio-chemist, added Rutabaga and Parsnips – oh, my! Dice them and they will add flavor while absorbing flavor. 🙂
This is one of my husband and I’s favorites! We missed chicken noodle soup when we went vegan. Not the Chicken part but the comfort and taste! This is even better than the chicken noodle we had prior! SO Yummy and so comforting!
This soup turned out fantastic! It really hit the spot and I will definitely be making it again. Feeling thankful for this recipe!
I made this last night. It was a hit! We have been bored with other vegan vegetable noodle soup recipes, but this one hit the mark.
So glad you loved my recipe, thank you Tara!